Hornby Island

Hornby Island is off the coast of Central Vancouver Island in British Columbia. It's a blend of laid back and scenic with parks, beaches, hiking/biking trails and vistas.

Ferry
There is a t wo-leg journey to get to Hornby island from Central Vancouver Island. The first ferry connects ferry terminal to  ferry terminal. From there, it's an 11 km drive across Denman Island to ferry terminal to catch the second ferry to  ferry terminal. Both ferries carry cars and foot traffic; it's the only way to bring your own car to Hornby.

From Nanaimo, head north on BC Highway 19 to the Buckley Bay exit (exit 101) and take the road east to the Buckley Bay ferry terminal. The drive is roughly an hour. From Courtenay / Comox, it's roughly a ½ hr drive south on BC Highway 19.

Water taxi
It's possible to get a water taxi from Comox to Hornby Island. The trip is about 30 minutes. If you have your own boat, there is a marina at Ford Cove Harbour in the southwestern tip of the island.

By bus
A bus can get you to the Buckley Bay ferry terminal, then you can walk on the ferry to Denman Island.

By car
The main road on the island is Central Road, a strip of pavement that nearly circumnavigates the island. It starts at the ferry dock at Shingle Spit, heads up the west coast of the island and across the north-center to the Four Corners (a.k.a. "Downtown Hornby"). From there, it hangs a right and heads south to Ford Cove. The trip from the ferry to the Four Corners is about a 15-20 minute drive. Watch out for cyclists on the road and crossing the road. Hornby Island has a lot of bike trails and cyclists.

By public transit

 * Bus route 10 runs between Buckley Bay and downtown Courtenay five times daily M-F, four times on Sat and twice on Sun.


 * A free (pay by donation) bus service is available (July 2023) on Denman Island that meets the ferry from Buckley Bay and connects to the ferry to Hornby Island https://www.denmanislandbus.ca/


 * A free (pay by donation) bus service is also available (July 2023) on Hornby Island that meets the ferry from Denman Island and serves most centres https://hornbybus.com/home

See and do
The attraction of Hornby Island is the outdoors, with some of the best sights protected by parks. Take in views of mountains and ocean or a mix of forests while hiking, mountain biking or kayaking.


 * There is parking available in the park for about 100 cars, and the wide and shallow beach can be crowded in the summer.
 * There is parking available in the park for about 100 cars, and the wide and shallow beach can be crowded in the summer.
 * There is parking available in the park for about 100 cars, and the wide and shallow beach can be crowded in the summer.

Lodging

 * There are many cabins and houses available for weekly and weekend rentals through Hornby Island https://hornbyisland.com/accommodations/ and various online rental agencies
 * There are many cabins and houses available for weekly and weekend rentals through Hornby Island https://hornbyisland.com/accommodations/ and various online rental agencies
 * There are many cabins and houses available for weekly and weekend rentals through Hornby Island https://hornbyisland.com/accommodations/ and various online rental agencies